IIn our last issue we introduced a
手
(
て
)
遊
(
あそ
)
び
歌
(
うた
)
(song or chant with hand movements) on the theme of おべんとうばこ. In this issue we would like to introduce a number of
手
(
て
)
遊
(
あそ
)
び
歌
(
うた
)
, and suggest ways to use them with your classes. A video of a child performing these
手
(
て
)
遊
(
あそ
)
び
歌
(
うた
)
can be viewed on the JF website.
The following two chants can be used at the beginning of a class, because their purpose is to prepare students for the next activity, such as listening to a story, by finishing with てはおひざ！(Hands on your laps)

You may change おひざ to other parts of the body eg. あたまto expand the chant, and finish with おひざ You may also change ひげじいさん、こぶじいさん、てんぐさん、めがねさん into something more familiar to students, eg, animals like ねずみさん、うさぎさん、きりんさん、こあらさん

You may change おひざ to other parts of the body eg. あたま to expand the chant, and finish with おひざ

This song can be used to introduce /revise position (up, down, side and back) or parts of the body.

*replace with したに、 かおに、 あたまに etc.

This song can be used to introduce/practise words for family members.

This song introduces family members and greetings to the tune of ‘Frere Jacques’

For other verses replace おとうさん with the following: (you can use gloves to draw the faces)